Residents of a Toronto Community Housing building in the downtown core are getting free access to the Web along with 30 laptop computers as part of a year-long pilot project to "free the net".

Media are invited to the launch of the service Saturday, September 4 at 10:30 a.m. The computers and wireless hotspot are being provided by the City of Toronto and Toronto Community Housing. Residents will be joined by Councillor Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), who spearheaded the project, and other officials to talk about the project.

This pilot will help determine the feasibility of possible future City of Toronto efforts to provide free or low-cost Internet access to residents of the 13 Priority Neighbourhoods for Investment.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toronto Community Housing (http://www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes-about six per cent of the City of Toronto's population. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs, who deliver its mission to provide affordable housing, connect tenants to services and opportunities, and work together to build healthy communities.